by LID Admin | May 16, 2013 | General Dental Care
What is halitosis and how is it treated? Halitosis is simply another name for bad breath. Most people have bad breath from time to time caused by eating strong foods, such as garlic or onions, drinking too much or forgetting to clean or floss before going to bed. In these cases a thorough cleaning and flossing will bring their breath back to normal. Gargling with a refreshing mouthwash can also restore fresh breath. Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once a day can significantly reduce malodour. Another way to combat halitosis is to brush your tongue in the morning, especially if you have had spicy or strongly flavoured food the night before. These actions will reduce the unpleasant odours in your mouth which have developed as a result of bacterial growth from any food particles left between your teeth and on your tongue. Chewing gum is also fine as long as it is sugar-free. But what if you have persistent bad breath? Persistent halitosis could signal a number of more serious problems such as gum disease, yeast infections and dental caries. Even more serious is the possibility of medical conditions such as bronchitis, diabetes or kidney disease: fortunately these cases are rather rare. For your own dental and general health we recommend a thorough check-up every six months. That way any problems can be detected and treated before they get too serious. For more advice on halitosis, dental hygiene, or any other dental concern please phone us on 6249 8383 to make an appointment to see one of caring dentists. Happy...
by LID Admin | May 7, 2013 | Dental Decay Prevention, General Dental Care
To chew or not to chew, that is the question! Whether or not you chew gum is a highly personal choice. As a child I was never allowed to chew gum, not because of the excessive amount of sugar in it, but because according to my mum, it made you look less smart than a non-chewer! Luckily, when I finally sneaked a piece of sugar-laden gum I hated the flavour and kept forgetting to chew, so family harmony was maintained. How times have changed! Nobody gives a second thought now to whether or not you should chew gum. The big issues are that you dispose of it properly and what sort of gum it is. Recent research into sugar- free gum shows it may actually be beneficial. Professor Laurence Walsh, head of the Dental School at the University of Queensland says “there is now very good evidence that sugar-free gum has positive benefits on dental health above and beyond other measures such as using fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water”. So, what are these benefits? Firstly, chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which helps protect your teeth by keeping them clean and by helping to strengthen enamel. Even when you aren’t chewing gum the increased saliva influences the type of bacteria that grows inside your mouth, according to Professor Walsh. He also believes that chewing sugar-free gum can help those at high risk of tooth decay because of their diet or lifestyle. So, it’s all good news! Chewing sugar-free gum actually helps your teeth. Just remember keep up the brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth amd...
by LID Admin | May 1, 2013 | Dentistry for kids, General Dental Care
Babies and toddlers are at just as much risk of dental decay as an older child or adult, so caring for your baby’s teeth needs to begin at birth. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early, your child will be well equipped to have healthy teeth for life. Toddler taming If your toddler resists teeth cleaning or struggles to sit still for two minutes, try these suggestions: Consider a battery-powered tooth brush, which adds novelty to cleaning their teeth Sing nursery rhymes or play a favourite song while you help your child brush their teeth Offer a reward every time your toddler allows you to brush for two minutes Encourage your child to practise teeth cleaning (under your supervision) to instill good oral hygiene habits in them from an early age. Some toddlers like to be independent so it is a good idea for them to use one toothbrush while you use another one and take turns at brushing Make flossing and brushing as much fun as you can to avoid any negative association or resistance. Be sure to talk to your dentist if you need more advice It is important to set a good example Children tend to imitate their parents’ behaviours. If oral hygiene and looking after your teeth are important to you, they will be important to your child. Talk to your child about the importance of healthy teeth. A child who understands that teeth have to last a lifetime is more likely to take care of them. Visit your dentist regularly to maintain your own oral health, which will in turn benefit your child....
by LID Admin | Apr 21, 2013 | Dental Decay Prevention, General Dental Care, Interesting Reading, Uncategorized
This article below is quite extreme but it does show the devastation that soft drink can have on your teeth and your overall health! Source :http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/soft-drink-addict-william-kennewell-loses-all-his-teeth-at-the-age-of-25/story-e6frea83-1226570295887 WILLIAM Kennewell says he is living proof of the damage soft drinks can cause to your teeth and health. For three years, the 25-year-old drank between six and eight litres of soft drink each day – an addiction he struggled to kick. The Salisbury North resident ignored dentists’ warnings about the problems his dangerous habit was causing and has since had all his rotten teeth removed and replaced with dentures. “I’m told a normal person has about 23 teeth, but … I only had 13 left and they had to be removed,” he said. “It started because I wasn’t a huge water fan and working in the hotel industry, I had easy access to Coke. “Because my teeth were decaying so badly, it caused blood poisoning which just made me sick, but my health improved with the dentures.” Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health senior research fellow Dr Jason Armfield has called for health warnings on labels to include the risks of tooth decay. Dr Armfield is also the lead author of a study of 16,800 Australian children that found 56 per cent of those aged between five and 16 consumed at least one sweet drink, such as soft drink or juice, each day. Australian Beverages Council chief executive Geoff Parker said it was important to teach children early on about good dental hygiene: “However, singling out one particular part of the diet is a misguided approach to dealing with...
by LID Admin | Apr 21, 2013 | General Dental Care, Interesting Reading
Can having poor dental health have an impact on your psychological wellbeing? According to Robert Anders of Rockefeller Center Orthodontics the answer is ‘Yes’. However, as Dr Anders points out repairing your teeth also improves your mental health. We all know that poor dental health can affect your overall general health, but it has now been found that it can also affect your mental well-being. Just think about it. Your mouth is frequently the focus in social situations. When you smile, laugh, eat or drink, or just chat your mouth is often the centre of attention so it makes sense that if you are self – conscious about your teeth you will feel uncomfortable or embarrassed and this can trigger psychological problems like anxiety, low self esteem or even depression. It’s easy to see how this could happen. The first thing we do when we meet someone is smile and say hello. If you have poor teeth you may avoid smiling and come across as unfriendly or aloof. You might even think that people are making judgements about you based on the state of your teeth. This can easily develop into a cycle where you avoid social contact or become self critical. The good news is that improving your dental health can contribute to better self esteem, more confidence and improved psychological health. So get serious about dental health. It will improve not only your teeth but your mental health as well! Taken from an article by Robert Anders for the Public Health Bugle. For the full article see: http://publichealthbugle.com/2012/07/smile/ Having read this post do you want to take...
by LID Admin | Feb 13, 2013 | General Dental Care, New Dental Products
So what is Xylitol you ask? Lasting Impressions Dental has had a look into what all the hype is about relating to this natural sweetener called Xylitol. Read on to find out about the benefits of Xylitol and your dental health. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has many benefits not only for your overall health but also for your teeth. Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar and is 100% sugar free. It is 100% natural and is derived from some fruits and vegetables. Some xylitol products contain fillers or other sweeteners that are not natural so you need to be careful and read the label when purchasing to ensure you are getting 100% xylitol. It is usually best to purchase these products from the health food store. Xylitol is great to use in place of sugar as it is 100% natural, it is low GI and it is great for your teeth as studies have shown it can help prevent tooth decay. So it is great for your teeth and for your waist line! Sound too good to be true? Read on to find out more on this fantastic product. How does a natural sweetener help your teeth? We are always being told that sweeteners such as cane sugar and honey for example are bad for our teeth and cause tooth decay so how can it be that xylitol is good for your teeth and fights tooth decay? This information was sourced from http://www.xylitol.org visit the website to get more information on xylitol. Why does xylitol help protect teeth from...
